Alfred Pleasonton was a United States Army officer and major general of volunteers in the Union cavalry during the American Civil War. He commanded the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac during the Gettysburg campaign, including the largest predominantly cavalry battle of the war, Brandy Station. In 1864, he was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi theater, where he defeated Confederate General Sterling Price in two key battles, including the Battle of Mine Creek, the second largest cavalry battle of the war, effectively ending the war in Missouri. He was the son of Stephen Pleasonton and the younger brother of Augustus Pleasonton.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY FORCES, Near Warrenton Junction, Jume 6, 1863. General A. PLEASONTON, Commanding Cavalry Corps: Your dispatch just received. I have sent to recall Colonel Duffié, who had your instructions…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, February 25, 1863. February 25, 1863—11 p. m. General PLEASONTON, Oommanding First Cavalry Division : Lee and Hampton crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford, about General Williams…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, February 25, 1863. February 25, 1863. General A. PLEASONTON, Commanding First Cavalry Division: Move with the whole of your division, and be in position on the Telegraph…
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAO, Camp near Falmouth, Va., April 14, 1863. Brigadier-General PLEASONTON, Oommanding Cavalry Division : The commanding general directs me to advise you that General Heintzelman, commanding…
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY FORCES, Near Warrenton Junction, June 6, 1863. General A. PLEASONTON, Cavalry Corps: Your dispatch in cipher received. Instructions will be carried out as soon as practicable. JNO. BUFORD,…
BEALETON BEALETON, June 12, 1863. General PLEASONTON: Iam near Bealeton, and my command will be in camp by night. Have sent a force to occupy the fords. Can you spare…
BEALETON BEALETON, June 13, 1863. General PLEASONTON : Please let me know where you picket with your cavalry. You ought to watch as high up as Waterloo Bridge, at least.…
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CAVALRY BRIGADE, Hartwood Church, August 13, 1863. Major-General PLEASONTON, Commanding Cavalry Corps: I send you acopy of the Richmond Examiner of yesterday. By the editorial and official orders,…
HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, September 1, 1863. September 1, 1863—3 p. m. General PLEASONTON: My advance drove in the rebel pickets one-half mile north of King George CourtHouse. Iam advancing…
HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, October 26, 1863. October 26, 1863. Major-General PLEASONTON, Commanding Cavalry Corps: I drove the enemy back to near Bealeton, where they came upon me too strong,…
HEADQUARTERS THIRD CAVALRY DIVISION, Grove Church, Va., November 7, 1863. Major-General PLEASONTON: GENERAL: I have the honor to report my arrival at Grove Church. Two regiments of Hampton’s division of…
OFFICE OF CAVALRY BUREAU, November 23, 1863. November 23, 1863. Respectfully returned. There are very few if any men belonging to General Custer’s briade in the Dismounted Camp. General Kilpatrick…
SEDALIA SEDALIA, September 1, 1864. General PLEASONTON, Warrensburg : Forty-two rebels entered Tipton at 6 o’clock this morning. Killed two men; went in direction of Boonville. Reports to me from…
Saint Louis Saint Louis, September 3, 1864. General PLEASONTON: The general commanding directs me to call your attention to the fact that three farmers of Cooper County have called upon…